Nonu Toulon's latest capture
Toulon's outspoken owner Mourad Boudjellal has added veteran All Black Ma'a Nonu to his growing list of high-profile signings.
Boudjellal told French television they've signed the All Black midfielder to a two-year contract and will join the French champions after next year's World Cup.
He says Nonu is a great centre with a good mouth on him and that is something they like at Toulon.
Nonu, 32, has become the second long-serving New Zealand Test player this week to announce his departure in 2016.
Flyhalf Dan Carter will leave for Racing Metro after the World Cup, where he may well lock horns with 94-Test powerhouse Nonu.
Boudjellal said former All Black captain Tana Umaga's strong connection with the club – where he was a player and coach – played a part in Nonu's decision.
It is also the club where another high-profile All Black midfielder, Sonny Bill Williams, first played professional Rugby Union, in 2008.
"It was a wish of ours because Toulon really took off with Tana Umaga," Boudjellal said on the club website.
"Nonu is a great centre with a good mouth on him and that is something we like at Toulon."
Nonu's Test career, which began in 2003, stalled this year when a broken arm sidelined him midway through the season.
He has signed a one-season contract with the Hurricanes this year, returning to his original Super Rugby team after stints at the Blues and Highlanders.
Nonu's rugby career over the past few years has rarely been dull – the enforced move from the Hurricanes and swapping between the Blues, Highlanders, Blues and back to the Hurricanes has seen to that.
The 54-year-old Boudjellal, who has attracted such players as Jonny Wilkinson, Matt Giteau and James O'Connor to his club, is said to be bad company following a defeat.
He is also fond of stalking the field during matches and received a 130-day touchline ban for saying that he felt "sodomised" by the performance of a referee during a particularly rancorous loss at Clermont in 2012.
The French Rugby Referees Union threatened to sue Boudjellal for defamation after the remarks, only for him to reply: "I am not surprised that they are attacking me. With what they are paid, they need the money."
Sources: Newstalk ZB & NZ Newswire
